LAHORE – Pakistan Cricket Board has appointed two infectious diseaseexperts as independent members of the two-person fact-finding panel thatwill review the bio-secure protocols as well as the bylaws that were put inplace during the HBL Pakistan Super League 6.
Dr Syed Faisal Mahmood is an Associate Professor, Section of InfectiousDiseases, Department of Medicine, The Aga Khan University, while Dr SalmaMuhammad Abbas is a Consultant Infectious Diseases and General Medicinewith the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre,Lahore.
The independent panel will submit its findings and recommendations to PCBChairman Ehsan Mani by 31 March, the PCB said in a statement on Sunday.
The independent panel has been tasked to carry-out a holistic and detailedreview of the Covid-19 Standard Operating Procedures for the HBL PakistanSuper League 6, identify any gaps and advise as to the reasons why thebio-secure environment did not remain Covid-free.
According to the PCB Chairman, the Board takes the health and safety of itsplayers, player support personnel and match officials seriously. “We havedemonstrated our duty of care in the international series against Zimbabweand South Africa, as well as during the nine domestic events in which wesuccessfully staged 220 matches. This included the 34-match National T20Cup in Multan and Rawalpindi as well as the first and second elevensQuaid-e-Azam Trophy and the Pakistan Cup in Karachi,” Ehsan Mani said.
“The independent panel of two distinguished experts has been appointed withthe sole purpose of an honest, constructive and objective review.
“The independent panel will speak with all the relevant stakeholders,including the event and hotel staff, medical and compliance officers, teamplayers and managements, so that we can get a better understanding how thecases occurred.
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“The independent panel will make such recommendations as it considersappropriate,” he added.
Last Thursday, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 6 was delayed “withimmediate effect” after seven people participating in the tournament hadtested positive for Covid-19.
The PCB said the decision had been taken out of consideration for thehealth and wellbeing of all participants in the tournament.
“Following a meeting with the team owners and considering the health andwellbeing of all participants is paramount, the Pakistan Cricket Board hasdecided to postpone the HBL Pakistan Super League 6 with immediate effect.The decision was made after seven cases were reported in the competition,which had started on 20 February,” the cricket body said in a press release.
